Retracting sectional running board



1 Much 15. 1927.

' 1,621,479 w.- H. CLEVELAND ET AL RETRAC'I'ING sscwxomnnumg ue BOARD Filed May 1 2? s Sheets-Sheet 1 dllllll I March 15; 1927.

w. H. CLEVELAND ET AL RETRACTING SECTIONAL RUNNING BOARD F iled May 25. 1925 :s Sheets-Sheet 2 Mam,

BY r Q l I "I! W I z I I Patented Mar. 15,1927.

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anmancrme SEGT-ION'AL -RUI\TN'I1\TG 1BOQAYRD. I

' Application filedMay 25, lead serial No. 641,496. g V

. Our present invention -pertains to vehicle bodies and it contemplates the Provision, in avehicle body of-means whereby whenthe door thereof is opened the step .willautomatically assume the proper position and when the'door is closed the step will-be concealed from view. 7 I a V :The invention further contemplates the provisionof means wherebythe steps and running board ;of the vvehicle are securely hou'sed andinvisible when the door is closed thereby; leaving thexsi'des of the vehicle clear of foothold and adding materially to'the symmetrical and luxurious appearance of theivehicle .as well as affording assurance to the occupants-of the car, lndividual and seclusiveprotection from intrusion by malivehicle and cious orv uninvited persons. who might step on the:running board. Thein'vention naturally lessens the liability of accident by. pre vefitin g' att'empted entry into the car while same isinqnction "eliminates riding of persons on the running board instead of inside the vehicle.

The invention further contemplates the provision of a conjunction with the steps of a vehicle that is adapted for ready use and adjustment.

Further advantageous characteristics and objects of the invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims when the same are read in connection with the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, of a motor showing one step in position and the other step concealed.

Figure 2 is a detail view of the apron of the vehicle and the steps.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle equipped with our novel step.

' Figure 4: is a detail view of a sliding construction of step.

Figure 5 is a detail perspective of the mechanism that actuates the doors and steps.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a running board constructed along the lines of my novel invention.

Figure 7 isa side elevation of the construction shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of one of the steps used in the construction shown in Figure '6.

Figure 9 is a sectional view of'the movable step and showing its relation to guide bars of the running board.

the rod is secured to running board to be used in Similar numerals of [reference designate corresponding parts in all the views of the drawings.

I Our novel construction is adapted "be -inst alle'd in new vehicles-lat the time;

manufacture or may be placed inautonid' biles ma y timeafter manufacture and as 1 theapron l iscut as shown :in F gure p to receive the movable steps; These steps comprise two sections?) and 5 that are at right angles to each other and theupturne d edge portions pearance of the vehicle.

it will be seen that the-cut out portion 2 of the apron are so constructed that if open or, closed. asn ug fit around the step element is alway's' rnade. I The run ning board is arranged between the steps and said tion with the doors 7 This is accomplished by meansofthe rod 9 -;that.passes beneath 4 that add-to thefinish'ed ap-- steps. operate in conj-uncthe seat of the vehiclethrou-ghslot lOuan d the,door by ball and socket construction 8. The rod 9 is secured to a hidden shaft or rod 11 that is secured to the rod or arm 12 that'in turn is secured to the portion 5 of the step. v 7

Between the steps 3 we provide a short running board 6 which is not connected to the steps when inwardly but forming a continuous running board when positioned outwardly with steps. c

. As it will be seen by reference to Figure 5 the elements 3 and 5 comprising the steps are hinged to the apron by means of the hinge 5 By reference to Figure. 5 it will also be seen that if desired the form of rod 11 may be used in lieu of the rod 11 0f Figure 3.

By use of this construction of lever 11? the step 3 may be operated by pendently of the door because unlike lever 11 the lever 11* is not secured to the door but to the step only. Manifestly the lever 11* may be positioned back. of the seat and at any convenient point in reach-of the occupant.

When an automobile is equipped with the construction shown in Figures 3' and 1, movement of the door 7 will be attended by movement of the step. The door being closed will hand indehousing having a slot 14 is arranged in the apron 1 and a sliding step 13 is employed in lieu of the radiating step shown in Figure 3. Thisconstructionof elements operates exactly the same as the preferred elements except that the step slides in the casing 15 instead of revolving as does step of Figure 8. r y

In Figures 6 to 9 we show steps to be used in conjunction and to produce a running board.

In this construction'the mud guards of the vehicle are indicated by 16 while the apron is indicated by 1 The guide rods 17 extend completely across the vehicle body and the steps are provided with an inner collar 20 and an outer turned down portion 21. The brace 1 of the apron 1 strengthens same and said apron is provided with a slot 1 through which the steps travel. These forms of steps are provided with grooves 22 and tongues 23 whereby each step slides on its opposing step and in order to prevent casual 'liding of the steps locks 25 and the thumb screw. 24 are employed.

The elements entering into the constructionset forth are extremely simple and in expensive to produce and because of their simple construction are not liable to become inoperative after a short period of use.

There is no doubt that the elements will naturally enhance, rather than detract from the finished appliance of the vehicle.

Having described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. In combination with an automobile having a body an apron projecting down- I ward from the body and having front and rear mud guards, of a sectional running board capable of being positioned within the apron whennot in use, and of being positioned outwardly fromthe apron to form a continuous running board extending from the front to the rear mud guards.

2. In combination with an automobile having a body with one or more doors, an apron projecting downwardly from the body and having front and'rear mud guards of a running board consisting of a front, a rear and an intermediate section, all of said'sections capable of being positioned within the apron and of being positioned outwardly, therefrom, one or more of said sections being operatively connected with the said doors, the sections when positioned outwardly forming a continuous running board extending from the front to the rear mud guards.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands. r I v WILLIAM H. CLEVELAND. CLARENCE W. BOTHE. 

